Assessment Appeals Process

Every effort has been made to assess your property on a fair and equitable basis. However, if you feel the assessment value shown does not represent the present market value of your property, or the assessed value is not uniform (in-line) with similar properties in your area, you may make an appointment to discuss your assessment. Values may be raised, lowered or remain the same during these hearings in order to maintain equalization.

Value Determination

The citizens of the County determine the value of real estate in Powhatan County by buying and selling properties in arms-length transactions, thus creating the real estate market. The County utilizes the services of a third-party assessment firm to interpret the real estate market to assign assessed value to real property in an equitable manner.

Assessment Timeline

Property is assessed every other year and the assessed value is effective on January 1, the valuation date (January 1, 2010, January 1, 2012, January 1, 2014, January 1, 2016, etc.). Notices are sent to all property owners by November 5th preceding the valuation date.

Appeal Process

If a property owner believes that the assessed value does not represent fair market value, is not equitable with similar properties in the County, or contains a factual error about the property, the County has several appeal processes.

Assessor’s Appeal

This process is now closed as of November 3, 2017.

As a result of an appeal, assessments may increase, decrease, or reflect no change. Appeal results from the assessor will be mailed out by December 31, 2017.

Board of Equalization (BOE) Appeal

The owner/agent may appeal to the BOE by completing the Board of Equalization Appeal Form. Hearings will be scheduled starting January 1, 2018. Board of Equalization Appeal Forms must be filed by April 2, 2018. Download fillable form here.

Circuit Court

The owner/agent may appeal the assessed value to the Circuit Court of Powhatan County. This is not an administrative procedure and filings are made to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The owner/agent may appeal to the Circuit Court without first appealing to the assessor or the BOE.